San Luis Obispo County Biographies

HON. JOHN H. HOLLISTER

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


HON. JOHN H. HOLLISTER, one of of the most prominent citizens of San Luis 
Obispo County, is the only son of Joseph Hubbard Hollister, deceased, whose 
sketch is also given. He was born in Newark, Ohio, November 27, 1856. When he 
was seven years of age the Hollister family removed to California, where the father had 
acquired large property interests; and since that time the subject of this sketch has made 
California his home, his name being conspicuous among those who have aided the 
development of the agricultural interests of the State and more especially of San Luis 
Obispo County. He received an excellent education, finally graduating with honors at 
the State University at Berkeley. Since 1866 he has made the county of San Luis Obispo 
his home, his present residence being in the city. His country home, on the beautiful 
Chorro Rancho, containing 2,000 acres, is located five miles northwest of San Luis 
Obispo. He is a large property holder, and extensively engaged in the cattle business, 
both in this State and Arizona. In partnership with Judge Frederick Adams of San 
Luis Obispo, he has two ranches in the latter Territory, namely, the Santa Rosa in Pima 
County, fifty miles southeast from Tucson, and the Las Cienegas in Graham County, on 
the Gila River; and on these are 5,000 head of cattle. Mr. Hollister is also one of the 
owners of Chimnicos Rancho of 20,000 acres in San Luis Obispo, which is used for stock 
purposes. 

In matters political Mr. Hollister is a conspicuous figure. When but twenty-three 
years of age he was a Supervisor of the county, � the youngest who was ever a mem- 
ber of the board, as well as one of the most active, competent and intelligent. In 1882 
he was the Republican candidate for the Assembly, when the Democrats were well 
organized and in the majority, and he made a splendid canvass, gaining the election. His 
record in the Assembly was distinguished by able and conscientious work. He introduced 
measures, which were passed, becoming the anti-oleomargarine law, the law to extir- 
pate fruit-tree pests and to prevent diseases in fruit trees, etc., laws of importance to the 
agriculturists. He is a member of the orders of Patrons of Husbandry, Knights of Pythias 
and Free Masons, is in the State Militia, from which he has passed through the different 
grades from private up to the rank of Major. He is interested in all matters connected with 
the progress of this State. 

April 22, 1880, is the date of his marriage to Miss Flora May Stocking, a native of 
Sonoma County, this State, and they have had five children, four of whom are now 
living: John Hubbard, William M., Mary Banning and Flora Hollister. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.